The Used headline Take Action tour to fight bullying & help LGBT teens

By Hilary Gridley

The It Gets Better Project shows young LGBT people that no matter how tough their teenage years are, they can and will go on to lead happy, successful lives. Now, thanks to Hopeless Records’ non-profit branch Sub City, better days begin January 11–no growing up required. That’s because the two organizations are teaming up to spread a message of hope around the country through the 2013 Sub City Take Action Tour.

The tour, which features alt-rock headliner The Used as well as We Came As Romans, Crown The Empire, and Mindflow, will kick off January 11 at Las Vegas’ House of Blues before circling the US through February. Ten percent of each ticket purchased will be donated to It Gets Better and Sub City.

In addition to the tour, members of The Used created this moving It Gets Better video to help support the cause.

Hopeless Records has also released the Take Action Compilation Volume 11, featuring The Used, Bad Religion, All Time Low, 3OH!3 and more. Order the CD alone or bundle it with a Take Action! T-shirt here.

It Gets Better Board Member Stephanie Laffin said of the partnership, “The It Gets Better Project is thrilled to collaborate with The Used and Hopeless Records on the upcoming Take Action! tour. The Used are powerful voices for young people, well known for their community involvement and outreach, and for encouraging young people to embrace their individuality.”

Sub City began in 1999 when Southern California’s Hopeless Records (All Time Low, There For Tomorrow) formally started supporting non-profit organizations with charitable albums, tours, and events. This is the thirteenth year of Sub City’s tour, which has benefited organizations like Driving for Donors, Do Something, America’s Youth Hotline, ReachOut.com and The National Hopeline Network. In 2011, the group helped raise $50,000 for the nonprofit Sex, Etc. and reached more than 19,000 fans in 30 American cities. Since its inception, Sub City has raised more than $2 million for charity.

See below for tour dates:

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OneRepublic combats child mortality with heartbeats and a catchy tune

By Laura Ferreiro

Rock band OneRepublic have turned a heartbeat into a backbeat to draw attention to Save the Children’s “Every Beat Matters” campaign. The Denver-based rockers wrote the song “Feel Again” — which features the heartbeats of young children as its driving rhythm — in support of the non-profit’s national campaign, which emphasizes the importance of funding frontline health workers in the world’s poorest countries.

The band used a recording of heartbeats from young people in Malawi and Guatemala – all of whom have been helped by health workers trained by Save the Children — to create the tune, which reminds people that the child mortality problem can be solved. What’s more, proceeds from the download of the song will support the campaign.

“(Save the Children’s) primary objective is to protect children’s rights around the world,
whether its from illness, deaths from completely preventable diseases, and things in any modern western country wouldn’t even be an issue, it struck a chord with me,” OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder says in a video about the campaign. “Anything that involves kids being subjected to things that are completely unnecessary hits me in the gut.”

Tedder adds that the heartbeats provided the perfect structure for the song. “I was sent a file with a bunch of children’s heartbeats from Malawi and Guatemala,” he explains. “I think it was a serendipitous moments because these kids – a lot of them had heartbeats that ranged between 130 and 140 beats a minute – so from a musical perspective, that was like the perfect tempo.”

Mary Beth Powers, chief of Save the Children’s newborn and child survival campaign, says that working with OneRepublic is a great way to spread the word about the campaign and encourage people to get involved. “The power of working with a band like OneRepublic, is they have a huge global audience, and they’re really committed and hard working,” Powers tells Music for Good. “They have a sense of the kind of difference and power their voice can have on ending the tragedy of preventable child deaths. Ryan traveled with us to Guatemala and saw some of the health workers who visit newborn babies and treat childhood illnesses. It really affected him as the father of a two-year-old.”

Powers – who has visited more than 40 countries with Save the Children — points out that she has seen first-hand the tremendous difference that training qualified health workers in communities throughout the world has made in improving the health of children. “You really see such remarkable differences (in these countries),” she says. “Most Americans will never have the chance to see that. ‘Every Beat Matters’ helps people see that this change is possible. We’re also asking the U.S. government to continue its leadership and continue to fund programs around the world.”

Check out the video for “Feel Again” below, and download the song here to support the Every Beat Matters campaign. You can also get involved by writing to Congress and joining the campaign here.

OneRepublic: “Feel Again”

Feist, Sia, and She & Him get into the holiday giving spirit

By Laura Ferreiro

Whether it’s saving animals in India or encouraging young writers to explore their creative talents, indie musicians including She & Him, Feist and Sia are getting into the holiday spirit by supporting an array of great causes.

Looking for gifts for the indie-music lovers on your shopping list? What could be better than giving them music merch that they not only love but that also support worthwhile non-profits? Feist fans will be happy to learn that 100% of the proceeds from sales of her merchandise this holiday season will support one of three causes she holds near to her heart.

Feist

In a lengthy statement to fans, Feist said: “I can isolate three areas that I feel need support. The first is the environment….I sing about volcanoes and storms and the sea and the mountains because I find they’re the most direct representation of our own invisible seismic and cataclysmic emotional tides. Luckily, though, there are people who deal with the immediate rather than the symbolic within areas like alternative energy, reforestation, nature conservancy, water supply issues and the infinite other tolls climate change and consumptive living have taken.

“The second is people. Depending on the year, these people may be homeless in your home town…they may be hungry or displaced, uneducated, addicted, impoverished, lost, angry or helpless. Born in the wrong place or disheartened. It’s a very good thing that many lucky and smart people work to help the much more numerous unlucky.

“The third is Animals. I personally don’t support the eating of animals. Neither did Einstein or Da Vinci nor the Dalai Lama. The animals we’ll direct help towards may be abandoned or tortured or refugees from factory farming or natural disasters. There are many organizations who advocate for the protection of endangered species or mistreated individuals, argue and educate for alternatives to animal research, aim to protect animals from violence and advocate against standardized cruelty.”

Meanwhile, She & Him – the duo made up of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward – are donating proceeds from their Christmas album, “A Very She & Him Christmas,” to 826 National, a non-profit dedicated to helping kids and teenagers explore their creative talents through writing.

The album features recordings of several holiday hits and was inspired by classic Christmas albums by The Carpenters, The Beach Boys and Elvis Presley. In addition to being available through a free iOS app and here via Amazon, it has also been pressed on wintry white vinyl.

Check out their new animated video for “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” below:

Meanwhile, Sia is encouraging her fans to help rescue street animals in India by sponsoring animals and giving sponsorship gifts to friends and family. She works closely with the non-profit Animal Aid Unlimited, which runs an animal hospital and shelter in Udaipur, Rajasthan India, where ownerless street animals are rescued, healed, loved, and returned to their neighborhoods.

To thank Sia, Animal Action Aid created this moving video:

Pussy Riot book chronicles punk band’s fight for freedom and gets support from musicians across the globe

Prayer is not something usually associated with the punk movement, but Pussy Riot has never let rules or expectations define their next move. With two band members of the Russian punk band still in prison, their new book “Pussy Riot! A Punk Prayer for Freedom” will be available in print edition in January.

The book presents Pussy Riot’s powerful message to the world in book form so the world’s punks and feminists can pass down their stories to future generations. It will include translations of the band’s courtroom statements, letters from prison and poems. And that’s not all — musicians including Yoko Ono, JD Samson and Johanna Fateman of Le Tigre, Peaches and Bianca Jagger have contributed letters of tribute to show their solidarity with the group. Proceeds from the book sale will support freepussyriot.org.

Pussy Riot is a Russian punk music and art collective that was charged with felony hooliganism for a feminist performance in Moscow. Three members were arrested, and two face up to two years in prison because a Russian appeals court refused to overturn their sentences in October despite an international outcry against their imprisonment.

Artists around the world have rallied around the group and spoken out on their behalf, including Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Sting, Switchfoot and Amanda Palmer. Meanwhile, Amnesty International is mobilizing fans and supporters to add themselves to the Free Pussy Riot Map to help protect their human rights. Bands including Foster the People, Flogging Molly and Switchfoot have added themselves to the map along with statements of encouragement and support. Add yourself to the map here.

When speaking about Pussy Riot, Sting said: “Dissent is a legitimate and essential right in any democracy and modern politicians must accept this fact with tolerance.”

What’s more, TIME Magazine recently nominated Pussy Riot as Person of the Year for paying such a steep price for their provocative political self expression.

“Pussy Riot!: A Punk Prayer For Freedom” is available for pre-order (prior to its January publication date) on Amazon.com. The book was released by Feminist Press, an independent nonprofit literary publisher that promotes freedom of expression and social justice.

 

The Rolling Stones join star-studded lineup for Hurricane Sandy benefit

By Laura Ferreiro

In case you hadn’t heard, some of the biggest names in music will come together next week for “12-12-12”, the massive Hurricane Sandy benefit concert on December 12 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Today The Rolling Stones announced via Twitter that they will join the star-studded line-up that includes Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Billy Joel and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who are all schedule to perform at the fundraising event.

Producers of the show said they had already raised $30 million that will be distributed to storm victims in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut through the Robin Hood Foundation, reports the Associated Press. The Robin Hood Foundation is spearheading large-scale relief efforts to aid those affected by Hurricane Sandy, providing them with food, blankets, generators and more. It is now working on phase two of its relief efforts, offering housing, job training, legal counseling and more for Sandy victims.

Click here to support Robin Hood Foundation’s Sandy relief efforts.

Signed guitars from Bruce Springsteen, Mumford & Sons and a date with Justin Bieber up for charity auction

By Hilary Gridley

Charity auctions, a longtime hallmark of the holiday season, wouldn’t be complete without both legendary and contemporary artists using their starpower to get people into a charitable mood. Now a fundraising site called Charitybuzz is helping organizations reach a much larger audience through partnerships with nonprofits as diverse as WhyHunger and Tibet House.

WhyHunger is a leader in building the movement to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment. The organization runs the only national hunger hotline as well as Artists Against Hunger & Poverty, a program that partners with artists, the music community and the music industry to raise awareness and funds for community-based anti-hunger organizations.

Now, the artists are giving back to WhyHunger in support of the organization’s Hungerthon online auction on Charitybuzz. Mariah Carey donated an autographed tambourine and box set, and several musicians have autographed guitars for the event, including Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Mumford and Sons, Taylor Swift and Def Leppard. Additionally, bidders will have the opportunity to win lunch with Marky Ramone, Willie Nelson tickets, and a chance to meet Justin Bieber.

WhyHunger isn’t the only charity finding success on Charitybuzz this holiday season.
Tibet House, a non-profit educational institution and cultural embassy, has launched an online auction that will run through December 19. The organization will also host its 10th annual benefit auction on December 18 at Christie’s Auction House in New York City.

Both Yoko Ono and Sting have pledged their support for the organization, which works to promote and preserve Tibet’s unique cultural and spiritual heritage. They join Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner and a cast of Hollywood celebrities on the Honorary Chair Committee. Available items include an internship at Rolling Stone magazine, a guitar signed by Sting, and two VIP tickets to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2013.

Still looking for that perfect gift? Check out the available memorabilia, tickets, and opportunities to meet artists available on Charitybuzz.com to support one of more than 100 organizations represented on the site.

 

Musicians help make first Giving Tuesday a success, but more need to carry its tune

John Legend launches JC Penney's Holiday Giving tour on Giving Tuesday

By Laura Ferreiro

Following on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the first-ever Giving Tuesday took place last Tuesday (Nov. 27), reminding people that the holidays are more than just a shopping frenzy.

The day was a great success and saw a 53% increase in charitable giving over the same day last year, spurring approximately $10 million in online donations to charities and foundations, according to the UN Foundation, which created the idea for Giving Tuesday along with 92Y and Mashable.

A handful of musicians got into the giving spirit, staging performances, donating to charity and encouraging people to get involved in supporting numerous good causes.

Sharkira tweeted “I’m supporting @UNICEF #GivingTuesday”, and John Legend performed at a free concert in New York’s Bryant Park sponsored by JC Penney. The concert not only celebrated Giving Tuesday, but also launched JC Penney’s nationwide Holiday Giving Tour, which will hit 12 cities around the U.S. and feature musical performances, tree-lighting ceremonies, Santa visits and more.

Linkin Park worked with renowned non-profit Music for Relief to spread the word about its Power the World initiative. Designed to provide clean energy solutions for people who don’t have access to electricity, Power the World was established by Linkin Park to support the United Nations’ work to combat poverty and bring solar power to homes and health clinics in Haiti and Uganda.

“The Voice” star Cee Lo Green also got into the act, helping to promote Celebrity Bookends – a set of hand-shaped bookends that’s traveling the world to help raise money for Giving Tuesday partner Cooperative for Education, which provides education programs for children in Guatemala.

That said, a relatively small number of musicians publically supported Giving Tuesday, as opposed to World AIDS Day on Saturday (December 1), which saw numerous high-profile musicians like Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys actively campaigning to raise awareness and encourage giving.

Imagine the giving power that could be generated if musicians got involved and helped spread the message of Giving Tuesday. Things got off to a great start this year, but here’s hoping next year’s second-annual Giving Tuesday — set for Dec. 3, 2013 — will generate even more noise!

The Lonely Biscuits donate proceeds from haunting Jersey Shore video to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts

By Hilary Gridley

It’s hard to look at images of the New Jersey shoreline from before Hurricane Sandy knowing how many neighborhoods were washed into the sea. But the four friends who make up the band The Lonely Biscuits have turned their memory of one New Jersey town into a message of hope for all those affected by the storm and an opportunity to raise money for Sandy’s victims.

This past summer, the band, which formed at Belmont University and earned top honors at last year’s national College Battle of the Bands competition, wrote the song “Everybody” and filmed the corresponding video in Normandy Beach, New Jersey. The song is about staying strong through experiences outside our control; when they first penned the lyrics it, they had no idea how meaningful it would become. In fact, they felt so disconnected from the song they never even planned to release it.

This was before Sandy hit. After the storm left Normandy Beach in shambles, they realized how meaningful the song and video were. While the media painted a grim picture of a mid-Atlantic shoreline in shambles and underwater, they knew they had an opportunity to focus instead on their buoyant memories of a town they all loved.

Watch their video below , and download it on their bandcamp page. All proceeds from their digital sales will go directly to Waves for Water, a non-profit focusing its efforts on Hurricane Sandy relief by removing rubble from affected communities, bringing supplies to those in need, and ultimately helping to rebuild the North Eastern seaboard.

Many may not realize how much those affected are still suffering after this tragedy. More importantly, however, many may not realize how strong the hurricane victims remain in the face of all that was lost. The Lonely Biscuits want to change that.

The Lonely Biscuits — “Everybody”

Johnny Depp, members of The Black Keys and The Strokes perform at Petty Fest for Sweet Relief

Austin Scaggs and Johnny Depp at Petty Fest

By Laura Ferreiro

An impressive array of stars including Johnny Depp and members of The Strokes, The Black Keys and Kings of Leon came out to perform at a massive benefit concert last week to support Sweet Relief, the non-profit that helps musicians facing illness and disability in need of urgent assistance.

The all-star ensemble delivered two lively benefit shows at the El Rey Theatre, performing a slew of classic Tom Petty tunes at the event dubbed Petty Fest West. The events were put on by Best Fest, the music-biz trio of Alex Levy of Epic Records, long-time Rolling Stone scribe Austin Scaggs, and renowned tour drummer Matt Romano, who served as the backing band for many of the night’s performers.

Har Mar Superstar kicked things off with a rousing rendition of “Don’t Do Me Like That” before a parade of actors and renowned musicians offered up their versions of Petty tunes including “Break Down” (sung by Butch Walker) “Learning to Fly” (featuring Landon Pigg and “Parenthood” actress Mae Whitman) and “Refugee” (fronted by Alberta Cross crooner Petter Ericson Stakee).

As the evening rolled on, the star-power got brighter and brighter, with Strokes members Nick Valensi, Fabrizio Moretti, Albert Hammond Jr., the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney and Johnny Depp making their way to the stage. Supermodel/singer Karen Elson (also known as the former Mrs. Jack White) took a few turns with Nicole Atkins on “Last Dance With Mary Jane” and other Petty classics.

Later, Jared Followill from Kings of Leon took over bass duties with Depp on guitar and Matt Sorum of Guns ‘N Roses on tambourine for “Here Comes My Girl.” A memorable moment came when comedian Sarah Silverman delivered a comical version of “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” repeatedly shouting “Hey!” at the top of her lungs before going on a rant about a former lover that won’t leave her alone.

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Vampire Weekend, Bruce Springsteen, Juanes and more to stage Hurricane Sandy benefits

Vampire Weekend

By Hilary Gridley

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the entire country has rallied to support those affected by this tragic disaster, and the music community is no exception. Major rock and pop artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Alicia Keys, indie rockers Vampire Weekend and The Walkmen, Latin artists including Juanes and Juan Luis Guerra and electronic acts like The Crystal Method are staging benefit shows around New York in the coming weeks. Here’s a rundown of some of the biggest:

Occupy Sandy Benefit Concert
Real Estate, Vampire Weekend, Dirty Projectors Devendra Banhart, The Walkmen, Cass McCombs — Saturday, November 17

Occupy Sandy, a people-powered network of mutual aid in the ongoing humanitarian crisis of climate change, will host Real Estate, Dirty Projectors and more this Saturday at St. Ann & The Holy Trinity in Brooklyn Heights. The event will include short, intimate and often entirely acoustic performances. A minimum donation of $30 is requested per ticket. All proceeds will go to Occupy Sandy (http://occupysandy.org) to build the infrastructure to sustain recovery efforts across NYC. Get tickets here.

EDM For Sandy Relief
The Crystal Method (DJ set), Tommie Sunshine, Drop the Lime and more — Monday, November 19

Some of the biggest names in electronic music will gather at Gramercy Theater on Monday to raise money for The American Red Cross. In addition to those listed above, performers include Run DMT, The Disco Fries, Dances With White Girls, Gosteffects, FIGO (DJ set), Blaqwell, Prince Terrance, Carl Louis & Martin Danielle, Alex English, Righteous Trash, and more. This is an all ages event. Get tickets here.

Stageit Concert Series to Benefit Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

Carly Simon, Ben Taylor, Sally Taylor — Wednesday, November 21
Mike Viola — Sunday, November 25
Ingrid Michaelson — Wednesday, November 28

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